How Do You Practice Blues?

A lot of people assume blues is very easy to play and that may well be one of the reasons for its popularity with guitar players. Another reason may be because it sounds awesome. Nothing says 'guitar' more than the sound of a cool blues phrase or chord sequence.

What makes the thing sound so bluesy? If you play a blues scale on your guitar it sounds great but does it sound like a blues master? Chances are probably not. There are many things you need to consider when actually playing in the style of blues.

First consider your attack. Attack is the way you hit the strings and can make a massive difference to your overall sound. Give the note a 'bluesy bite' by really digging into the string with your pick, think Stevie Ray Vaughn. Make sure you know what you are doing rhythmically as well. Use 1/8th note swing timing to keep things sounds authentic.

Now try this, play a blues scale, and now try it with a micro-tone string bend applied to each note. A micro-tone bend is a pitch bend so small you can't really hear a pitch change, it's just enough to add that cool blues element to your scale. Try to run up and down the scale applying the small bends to each note in turn. There you go, sounds better already.

Use the same approach when playing rhythm guitar too. 1/8th note swing, plenty of attack and a tiny amount of pitch bend applied to the chords. It really does go a long way to getting the right sound.

Keep your amp setting pretty neutral, go for a clean sound and try to get the smallest amount of gain on the signal. You are trying to get the amp to break-up. This is when an amp sounds clean but distorts slightly when you hit it hard. Fender makes the new DX series of amps that offer a killer blues tone for not too much money. They are perfect for this style.

Try your blues favourites with this approach and you will soon be sounding like a blues master.

Also look out for Guitar Practiced Perfectly's Blues expansion Pack coming Q1 2008. It's a must have for any fan of blues guitar.

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